Comparison of landfill gas generation models: A case study from Çanakkale

Methane and carbondioxyde, derived from solid waste landfill sites, are two of the most important greenhouse gases that cause the global warming. On the other hand, methane (CH4) has a very high energy potential. This potential recently increased the studies regarding utilization of methane as a source of energy.Within the scope of this thesis study; the parameters that affect the production of methane in solid waste landfill sites and current modeling techniques used for prediction of methane gas are explained. The amount of methane gas that will be possibly produced in ÇAKAB landfill site, where solid wastes of seven residential areas (Members of Çanakkale Solid Waste Administrative Board) are disposed of, is calculated using Tabasaran- Rettenberger, Scholl Canyon and USEPA LandGEM models. The energy potential of estimated methane, acquired by Tabasaran-Rettenberg model which is chosen as the most appropriate model for our Country?s conditions, is determined.It is determined that the landfill site, opened in August 2009, will be filled by September 2026 after storing total of 1.216.436 tones of solid waste. With the Tabasaran-Rettenberger model that is chosen as the model that can give the most accurate result among the three models applied for ÇAKAB landfill site, it is calculated that for a period of 50 years the total methane emission will be 151.665.810 m3. It is determined that in ÇAKAB landfill site; since the methane collection system will be built after the cells will be completely filled, 25.471.943 m3 methane equal to the %18 of produced methane could not be collected and will be directly released to the atmosphere. With the acceptance of %70 gas recovery, after construction of landfill collection system, it is calculated that 90.035.408 m3 of methane will be recovered. If the calorific value of methane is accepted as 25 Mj/m3; it is calculated that energy that 5.150 MJ/h and 2.350 MJ/h electrical energy can be derived for the years 2017 to 2040 and 2041 to 2059, respectively.